562 3/11/1944 Gladys Dahlstrom to Sadie Erwin

Gladys Dahlstrom Hotel Guyon, 4000 Washington Blvd, Chicago, Illinois Saturday, March 11, 1944

Sadie Erwin Box 44, Enumclaw, Washington

Dear Folks, Mother’s nice letter came today. You certainly do keep busy. I guess that is the best way after all and how wonderful it is to be able to do things. Tonight is the Times Ice Show at the stadium. The Black Hawks have to put on a 20 minute exhibition game and then also show how the power play is put on – also difficult shots at the net, etc. I was too tired to go so have enjoyed a quiet evening at home. Ralph, of course, went with Cully. I did some washing and now just finished a pile of mending – also read a short article on, “How to Live Without Your Husband.” It was very good. Cully knows definitely he will take his physical here but is waiting to hear on what date – will either be the 17th or 20th. Paul Thompson is taking his the same day. The last two hockey games have been wild – last game with the Canadiens was next to murder every minute. Someone was in the penalty box all the time and the sticks were flying high. Doug Bentley had his nose broken and his face all mashed in – with stitches all over to hold him together. He sure looks terrible. I really hate to think about the playoff games but they are soon over. I do not worry about Cully but just hate watching such rough nonsense. I think it will be nice if you can go to be with Helen. What is the date she expects? Would you go via Minneapolis or wait until your return? Did I tell you that if Cully passes his physical he thinks he might join the Merchant Marines? Of course, he cannot after his induction date has been set so it all depends on how long the playoffs last and how soon they want him in the service. He figures they will put him in the navy anyway and that by going into the M.M. he has a little more to say about where he goes, etc. He might be able to ship out of Seattle once in awhile and then could see us in between trips. They also get better pay. If you go south how long would you plan to stay? If Cully has gone maybe I could keep house for Pop? We have given up the idea of buying a car as everything is so uncertain for us. We heard nothing at all from Marvin. Do hope he didn’t call sometime while we were out. If so, he should have left a message. Jeannie is coming along fast now and loves to be up on her feet. After her blame old teeth quit bothering her she probably will really go to town. I haven’t had her on the floor very much lately. More and more teeth keep forming so she hasn’t been in such a good mood. She says mama all the time – also daddy, bye-bye, night-night and up. Your word for Nell’s operation is still wrong. I don’t know how to spell it either but do know it begins with “C” and think it is Caesarian. Francis certainly is going to have a house full of boys – kind of nice though since they are all so close. I suppose the doctor gave Mrs. W. just so long to live and that is what worries them so. Does she know yet about what they claim she has? Mrs. George Allen had her baby Monday morning. It is her 3rd girl. George says he got the “hat trick” in girls. She was eating chow mein after the game about 2:30 and the baby was born at 4:30. Ella Smith expects her baby next Friday. Al and Ev Sporer are here – arrived Thursday and will stay several more days as they are trying to find a house. Al is coming back to Chicago to work starting April 1st. We went to the fights with them last night. There were about 25,000 people there – that is some crowd. Joe Lewis was there so we saw him too. I can’t say I like fighting as a sport but interesting to know something about them anyway. Will say goodnight and get to bed. Will write again soon. How’s Pop these days? Is he working hard? Have they laid any men off at the shipyards? Love, Gladys Our boys leave Monday for a whole week – return Sunday the 19th to complete the season. I wish we were not in the playoffs except that the money will be nice.